Adam Milstein: The International Philanthropist

It can be easy to believe that the age of altruism has passed because we live during a somewhat egocentric time. People are so focused on their own problems and their own careers that they have little time or energy to devote to making the world a better place. However, to discount acts of kindness in general would be both cynical and simplistic. The technologies of today and the sociopolitical climate only serve to make do-gooders stand out more and gives them a platform to share stories and create more hope for humanity. It is also hopeful when powerful business people use their influence to try to improve the world. That is why Richtopia created the Top 200 Most Influential Do-Gooder Philanthropists and Social Entrepreneurs of 2017 list. The people listed on Richtopia’s list have all used their influence to make an impact on the world, sometimes changing the face of society while doing so. The list was generated automatically, rating factors like Klout score, social media influence, and a “secret recipe.” Names that top the list include Bill Gates, J.K. Rowling, Oprah Winfrey, and Barack Obama. Famous actors like Seth Rogen and Helen Hunt are also included.

The most hopeful thing about this list, perhaps, is that it encompasses people of diverse backgrounds, ideals, and political beliefs, all with one thing in common: a desire to make a positive impact on the world.

Coming in as the 187th most influential philanthropist and social entrepreneur of 2017 is Adam Milstein. Milstein is a philanthropist on the board of several Jewish and pro-Israel organizations. He’s devoted most of his adult life to philanthropy and social change, particularly for Israeli-Americans and other Jewish Americans. In response to this commendation, Milstein thanked his wife Gila, a fellow philanthropist and the co-founder of the Milstein Foundation, the Israeli-American Council (IAC), and “the many organizations in the Jewish world that we are privileged to partner with to make a difference.”

The Milstein Foundation will continue going on doing their work to strengthen the Jewish people in the same way it had before.As an Israeli-American himself, Milstein served in the Israeli Defense Forces during the Yom Kippur War in 1973. He and Gila, a native of Morocco who was raised in Israel, married in 1974 after the Yom Kippur War. Milstein came to the United States in 1981 to earn his master’s degree in business. Soon after, he went into commercial real estate, where he was met with much success.

To this day, he is a managing partner at Hager Pacific Properties, his commercial real estate investment firm.Thanks to the success he’s gained during his career, Milstein has been able to put a lot of wealth towards philanthropy and activism, mostly in an effort to foster support for Israel in America. He is most known as the co-founder and chairman of national expansion with the IAC, an organization dedicated to strengthening Jewish identity in the next generation. He’s also on the board of the Israel on Campus Coalition, StandWithUs, Hasbara Fellowships, AISH Los Angeles, and The Los Angeles Board of Birthright Israel. Until 2016, Adam and Gila Milstein both ran Sifriyat Pijama B’America, providing free books in Hebrew to help Jewish American children connect with their heritage by learning Hebrew. That program now continues through a similar, larger program in the IAC. Gila is also the president of Stand By Me, an organization devoted to helping Israeli-American cancer patients.

In addition to the organizations he has either begun or helped run, Milstein has also sponsored various pro-Israel events, particularly for college students.

One of the more recent events is the Milstein Meme Competition, the goal of which is to create high-quality, pro-Israel internet memes. He also sponsored the Los Angeles wing of the Arabs Breaking the Silence speaking tour, offering unique perspectives from the Arab community in Israel.With such a resume of good deeds, it’s no surprise that Adam Milstein was added to the list of the Top 200 Philanthropists and Social Engineers worldwide, and his social media following further speaks to the influence he has on society today. With 87.8k followers on Twitter, he has a broad audience to educate the world on issues related to the Jewish people. He speaks out frequently against the antisemitism of groups like Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) and personalities like Richard Spencer.

He sheds light on the terror attacks to which Israel is subject on a regular basis and shares news on relationships between Israel and the United States.

Not everyone who has the heart to bring about social change has the means to do it on such a wide scale as the philanthropists on Richtopia’s list. That’s why it’s so important when people who do have the means to do good in the world in a big way use their power and influence to do just that. With everything going on in the world, it helps to know that there are still philanthropists like Adam Milstein who help make the world a better place.

7 COMMENTS

I’m not choosing sides publicly and I know people at work who have opposite opinions about the whole Israel-Palestine situation, but one thing I will say is this: Mr. Milstein has always seemed like a good choice to comment on the topic because it’s clear he tries to remain tolerant as possible AND as objective as possible with regards to the public. We need to stop the fighting, not try and figure out who’s right and who’s wrong!

Making a positive impact on the world (with all races and peoples involved) is probably one of the hardest tasks to accomplish of today. I’ve always loved hearing about and have supported Mr. Milstein because he showcases humbleness, respect and people-priority in a way cultural manner. Hence I believe he might just do it!

Really well written article. I wish there were more arguments “for the other side” but I think out common goal should be to remove the sides altogether and just try and work towards a common goal to stop the attacks, stop the violence, stop the killing and blood shed. We can work out everything else in time!